Automotive Damper With Releasable Mechanical Locking Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual biasing of spring elements during the installation of dampers in automobiles is cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring significant effort and complicating the mounting process.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of releasable mechanical locking means that inhibit the movement of the damper element in the direction biased by the spring element, allowing preassembly of the spring element in a biased state, which can only be released after the damper is mounted, simplifying the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the spring element is biased during manual installation of the damper, then the damper can be installed onto the component, but the manual biasing process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-biased during the damper assembly process before installation onto the component. The mechanical locking means are engaged in the locked position during assembly, allowing the spring to be pre-compressed or pre-tensioned to the required biasing force. This preliminary biasing action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual biasing operations during installation, as the spring is already in its operational biased state when the damper is assembled and ready for mounting.
2Ease of operation
If the spring element is pre-biased during assembly, then manual effort during installation is reduced, but mechanical locking means are required to maintain the biased state
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical locking means serve multiple functions within the damper system. Primarily, they maintain the spring element in its biased state during assembly and installation. Secondarily, they provide structural support and positioning for the spring element within the damper housing. The locking means are integrated into the existing damper component structure, such as utilizing the piston rod or housing features, rather than adding completely separate locking mechanisms. This multi-functionality approach minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving the benefit of pre-biased spring installation.
3Productivity
If mechanical locking means are used to maintain spring biasing, then the spring can be pre-biased, but the locking means must be released after mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical locking means are designed with dynamic release characteristics. The locking mechanism maintains the spring in its biased state during assembly and installation phases. After the damper is mounted onto the component, the locking means are automatically or manually released to allow the spring to assume its operational biased state. This dynamic transition from locked to released state ensures that the locking means serve their purpose only during the critical assembly phase, while not interfering with the normal operation of the damper during use. The release mechanism may utilize the operational movement of the damper components to automatically disengage the locking means.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the damper to be preassembled with the spring element biased, reducing manual effort during installation and ensuring the damper can function freely once mounted, thereby simplifying the mounting process and ensuring the damper operates as intended.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element being in operational connection with the damper element and biasing the damper element in a first moving direction
Implementation Method 2
The damper housing frequently contains a damper fluid, for example a silicone fluid, in which the damper element moves. Owing to the interaction with the damper fluid, the movement is dampened
Data Source
AI summary
Damper for dampening the movement of a component, in particular a component in the interior of an automobile, comprising a damper housing and a damper element being located at least partially within the damper housing and being moveable with regard to the damper housing, and a spring element being in operational connection with the damper element and biasing the damper element in a first moving direction, wherein mechanical locking means are provided which inhibit a movement of the damper element with regard to the damper housing at least in the first moving direction when the spring element is biased, and in that the mechanical locking means are releasable.